Orgreave: Inquiry

Debate between Lord Keen of Elie and Lord Clark of Windermere

Wednesday 13th July 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

I cannot accept that there has been an excessive move by the police in regard to these matters.

[Lord Clark of Windermere (Lab)]

My Lords, it is with regret that I heard the comment from the other side of the House blaming the miners’ leaders. I represented a mining community in the other House and I was very proud to do so. I was very active during the strike in 1984, and I must say that I saw police violence as well. I feel that there ought to be a general inquiry about the policing of the miners’ strike—because it is one of the reasons for the disenchantment with politics that we saw three weeks ago in the Brexit vote.

[Lord Keen of Elie]

I am not going to anticipate a decision that will be made by the future Home Secretary, but I would observe that, following the incident at Orgreave, 51 pickets and 72 policemen were injured.